Landmark Holds First Women's Coaching Symposium

Jun 03, 2014

MADISON, N.J. — More than 30 female administrators,
coaches, and student-athletes from across the Landmark Conference
gathered at Drew University June 2-3 for the first Landmark
Women’s Coaching Symposium.

Baum, who also serves as Goucher’s Senior Woman
Administrator (SWA), played a key role in organizing the event.

“For a first attempt at this kind of programming, I
thought that it went well,” she said. “The speakers
were very realistic about what it’s like to enter into and
persevere in this profession. Something that was emphasized
constantly was the need for women to do more networking in order to
help one another and advance in coaching and/or athletic
administration.”

Dr. Marilyn McNeil, Monmouth Director of Athletics, opened the
event with the keynote address. She offered the attendees a look at
the history of women in college athletics and the growth over the
last 40 years.

After the opening session, everyone broke into small groups to
rotate amongst round tables to discuss recruiting, scouting,
technology, communication, and practice planning. Some of the
SWA’s led the discussion and participants were able to share
ideas with each topic.

“Next year, I think we may focus in on target sessions
which cater to more specific groups such as graduate assistants,
students and young coaches,” Baum added.

After dinner, the group reconvened for an ice cream social and
game show. There were plenty of educational opportunities with
trivia questions centered on women in sport.

On Tuesday, the event began with a session titled,
“Climbing the Coaching Ladder and Surviving in a Male
Dominated Field” with Drew alum and University of Connecticut
women’s lacrosse coach Katie Woods and Rutgers Preparatory
athletic director and girls’ basketball coach Mary Klinger.
Both women shared personal stories of climbing the ladder while
also offering advice for those hoping to start a career in
coaching.

Moravian volleyball coach Shelley Bauder and Williams offered
the experienced coach and new coach perspective for “This is
What I Know.” Both coaches relayed stories of difficult
experiences as coaches and offered advice for others. Baum and Drew
women’s soccer coach Christa Racine wrapped up the event with
“A Happy, Healthy, and Productive Coach – Balancing it
All.”

The Symposium was designed to increase the number of female
coaches in athletics with the help of a grant from the NCAA. The
group hopes the event’s success will lead to future
opportunities to host Women’s Coaching Symposiums.

“I thought the conference was great,” Rudolph, one
of Goucher’s three student-athletes to attend, said.
“There were a wide variety of speakers who each brought a
different history about their respective journey within the world
of athletics.

“Networking is a vital instrument in athletics,” she
concluded. “So this was a great first step for all of the
student-athletes who are aspiring to become coaches. I hope that
this event will continue to grow in the upcoming years.”

Note: Portions of this story were originally
featured on the Landmark Conference’s official
website. A full photo gallery of the event can be
viewed here.